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Is it a OK to leave tube pre-amps powede up 24/7

I’m relatively new to tubes in my hifi setup. Recently went from SS pre to tube ARC pre-amp and a Croft phono stage.

I have always kept all of my SS gear powered up 24/7(and still do), but I shut down my pre-amp and phono stage now after I am done listening for the day. I power them up at least a half of an hour before I put anything into play.

I would prefer to leave my tube gear on all the time, but am concerned about premature tube wear.

What would the tube folk here think about 24/7?

128x128crazyeddy
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,851 posts
 
I've yet to see a signal tube explode! For that matter its really really rare even for a power tube.

I've been servicing consumer electronics since 1974. I've yet to see a fire in **any** preamp, tube or solid state that was not caused by a lightning strike. Not saying it can't happen; I **am** saying that it likely will not be caused by a tube.

A tube power amplifier is a different matter. Power tubes can arc and cause associated resistors to heat up and fail (these days, responsible manufacturers use 'flame proof' resistor types in those locations).

But we're not talking about tube amps, we *are* talking about tube preamps.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,507 posts
 
Amen! My thoughts and experiences also Atma. 
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Well, some  ARC tube preamps can power up a pair of small speakers if connected to the output to significant SPL levels.
That is to say that signal tubes there are driven rough almost just like power tubes.
PCB might not catch fire, but it might burn 'foil side' that in places will need to be either rebuilt or point-to-point wired. 
Once again, the possibility of failed signal tube to affect other circuit components as well as PCB is there.
crazyeddy's avatar
crazyeddy OP
381 posts
 

Thanks for all the comments from both sides of the question.

I have left them on for the past few days, but I think I will revert to the way I was doing things before. Power up 30 minutes before listening.

Since I have been leaving them on, and away at work during the day, I have a constant nagging feeling about them being "live" while there is nobody at home. Piece of mind is going to out weigh any sonic advantages.

Thanks once again everybody

sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
Cant's tubes short, and even explode? Is it wise to leave them on if you are not around to leap up and turn the system off?
Well if they're gonna explode I'm not gonna turn 'em on when I'm in the room!!
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